Interstate 280 traffic shift announced
in Morris CountyEastbound bridge deck reconstruction to begin
over Whippany River

(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced an upcoming traffic shift associated with the ongoing project to replace the Interstate 280 bridge decks in both directions over the Whippany River connecting Parsippany-Troy Hills and East Hanover in Morris County.

On Friday night, June 1, NJDOT is scheduled to shift both I-280 eastbound travel lanes to the left, onto a temporary bridge that has been constructed in the median of the highway. To implement this new traffic pattern, single lane closures will be necessary overnight between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. Once the new traffic pattern is established, two lanes of I-280 eastbound traffic will be maintained. The eastbound bridge deck reconstruction is anticipated to be complete in late-summer 2012.

At that time, NJDOT will shift I-280 eastbound traffic onto the newly rebuilt mainline bridge and shift I-280 westbound on to the temporary structure. Demolition and reconstruction of the westbound bridge deck will then begin.

Initial construction operations on the $5.2 million project began in February with NJDOT’s contractor, Scafar Contracting Inc., constructing a temporary bridge over the Whippany River in the median of I-280. The temporary bridge will enable NJDOT to maintain two travel lanes on I-280 during daytime and peak period hours during the demolition of the existing bridge decks and construction of the new cast-in-place concrete decks. Diverting traffic onto the temporary bridge will also allow NJDOT to accelerate the construction and complete each deck within a shorter time-frame.

New guide rails will be installed along the new bridge decks and for 700 feet along I-280 west of the bridge. The project is anticipated for completion in spring 2013.

Approximately 62,000 vehicles use these bridges every day to cross the Whippany River. Dynamic message signs will be deployed to inform motorists of the construction and any changes in traffic patterns.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are also encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.